Raphael 8404 — Kolinsky Sable Round
Raphael 8404 — Kolinsky Sable Round
- Material
- Kolinsky Sable (Natural)
- Shape
- Round
- Handle
- Short
- Best for
- Watercolour, Miniature Paints, Gouache, Ink, Acrylic
French-made Kolinsky sable. Exceptional flow and point. The miniature painter's benchmark.
What makes this brush special
Exceptional point retention — the natural Kolinsky hair springs back to a needle point after every stroke. Large belly relative to size gives outstanding paint capacity. Smooth, controlled flow without flooding. Softer feel than W&N Series 7, firmer than Rosemary & Co Series 33. The gold standard for all-round miniature painting.
Medium compatibility
Smooth flow for washes, controlled lines and fine points.
Works well with fluid hobby acrylics for detail, layering and controlled basecoating.
Handles opaque water-based paint when thinned to a brush-friendly consistency.
Good for fluid inks; clean promptly after use.
Best with properly thinned acrylics, especially for detail and glazing.
Great for
- All-round miniature painting — one brush handles detail, blending, and basecoating
- Smooth glazes and blends where controlled paint release matters
- Long painting sessions — the belly holds enough paint for extended work
- First premium sable purchase — versatile enough to justify the investment
Technique & use
- Detail Work
- Glazing & Blending
- General Painting
- Lining
- Edge Highlighting
Less ideal for
- Heavy drybrushing — will damage natural sable fibres quickly
- Very thick paints or texture pastes — designed for fluid paints
- Painters who prefer a stiffer, more resistant brush feel
- Budget-conscious buyers — this is a premium investment brush
Click a row to select size Tap a row · Swipe for price & stock →
| Size | Tuft Length | Belly Diameter | Total Length | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/0 | 4.0 mm | 1.1 mm | 170 mm | $17.13 | In Stock |
| 5/0 | 5.0 mm | 1.3 mm | 171 mm | $17.13 | In Stock |
| 4/0 | 6.0 mm | 1.5 mm | 172 mm | $17.13 | In Stock |
| 0 | 11.0 mm | 2.2 mm | 178 mm | $19.69 | In Stock |
| 1 | 13.0 mm | 2.5 mm | 179 mm | $24.34 | In Stock |
| 2 | 15.0 mm | 3.0 mm | 183 mm | $27.38 | In Stock |
| 3 | 17.0 mm | 3.5 mm | 190 mm | $34.11 | In Stock |
| 4 | 19.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 192 mm | $39.73 | In Stock |
| 5 | 21.0 mm | 4.5 mm | 195 mm | $61.36 | In Stock |
| 6 | 23.0 mm | 5.0 mm | 200 mm | $74.19 | In Stock |
| 7 | 25.0 mm | 5.5 mm | 205 mm | $109.28 | In Stock |
| 8 | 27.0 mm | 6.0 mm | 210 mm | $123.05 | Sold Out |
| 9 | 29.0 mm | 6.5 mm | 215 mm | $155.43 | In Stock |
| 10 | 30.0 mm | 7.0 mm | 220 mm | $196.45 | Sold Out |
Brush sizes are not standardised across brands — a Size 1 from one maker may differ from another. These brushes are handcrafted, so individual dimensions may vary by 1–2 mm.
How we measure a brush
A visual guide to the measurements shown in the size chart above.
These are the same measurements shown in the size chart above. Brush sizes are not standardised across brands, so use these dimensions when comparing brushes within a series or between manufacturers.
- Tuft Length
- The visible length of the brush hairs, measured from the ferrule to the tip.
- Belly Diameter
- The widest point of the brush head. On round brushes, this is the widest part of the belly.
- Total Length
- The full measurement from the tip of the brush to the end of the handle.
How to care for your brush
Clean promptly after each painting session with lukewarm water, working paint out gently from ferrule to tip. Use brush soap (Masters or equivalent) weekly for deep cleaning. Reshape the point after washing and let dry horizontally or tip-down. Never leave standing in water. Never use hot water. Avoid metallic paints and aggressive solvents which degrade natural hair. With proper care, expect 2-5 years of regular use.
